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                           3 Band Parametric Pre-Amp


Carl Martin 3 Band Parametric Pre-Amp has been specially developed for musicians who play ACOUSTIC GUITAR, VIOLIN, ACCORDION, DOUBLE BASS, etc.

These musicians often use combo amps and do not find the use of 19" rack equipment very practical. Experience has shown us that these instruments often require a high quality EQ and balanced line driver. We have integrated those features into a handy stomp box format.

For maximum flexibility, we found it necessary to create a high quality 3 band semi-parametric EQ.

Carl Martin 3 Band Parametric Pre-Amp works equally well for tweaking the sound of electric guitars, basses and other electronic instruments as well as for direct studio recordings.

The 3 Band Parametric Pre-Amp has a built in regulated (+-12V) power supply which enables us to design circuitry of the highest quality with maximum headroom.


Reviews

Hello Mr Carl Martin,

Your 3 band parametric + preamp is really excellent ! I use it since 2005 for my passive basses and fretless basses for my concert performances and my recording studio (compositions).
It reveals all frequencies of my customised basses in association with a wide range amp.
I play guitars and basses since 1975 and like sound engineer, I'm "handbook".
Generally, I don't like make commercial publicity ( I had masked the brand of my guitars and basses),
but this time, I desired to promote a product of quality able to sculpt my bass' sounds as I wish it
and I made a web link on my myspace music with your page product specifications :
http://www.myspace.com/jihefdegaillac
but I don't wait nothing of you.

Cordially,

Jihef (france)

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Guitar Player (USA) August 1999. 3 band parametric pre-amp
I could imagine a studio player running almost everything through this pedal, sweetening or sharpening tones to suit the situation. And, with its transparent gain, this box is a great choice for anyone seeking a powerful, clean toned solo boost.
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Guitarist Magazine (France) April 1996. 3 Band Parametric Pre-Amp.
This pedal offers a wide range of applications for Electric Guitar, Electric Bass
And Electro Acoustic Guitar. And even as an active DI box with it's XLR output.
In any case the result is excellent.
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Bassist (UK) August 1995. CM pedals in general.
High performance, low-noise pedals which can be used live or in the studio are rare beasts, but that's the case here. Pedals which work at this level of efficiency and are this well made, with this level of pedigree aren't cheap, but in the same breath aren't expensive either. If you appreciate paying for quality, the Carl Martins wont be found wanting.
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Product: Carl Martin 3-Band Parametric EQ
Price Paid: US $100
Submitted 01/10/2005 at 03:11am by Kuba
Email: j_kolan at poczta<dot>onet<dot>pl

Ease of Use : 8
Well. it is not a toy. The knobs are rather intuitive, so you have to experiment a lot to get desired sound. Especially mid knob is linked to parametric eq. Once you move mids way up you have to decrease other eq. Frankly it took me couple of weeks, yes yes, to obtain my dream island. My regard of sound changes from time to time...But when it happened.... I think I am stuck with CM for ever. Getting good sound is subjective thing although the effect is very tweakable, you can shape the sound whatever you want to. It is not boss 7 band eq but knobs give you wide array of frequencies.

Sound Quality : 10
Here is my story
2 years a go I bought Evans Jazz Enclosure 150 custom made amp from USA. He was claimed as cleanest solid state amp, made for jazzers etc. it costed me a fortune to bring it here to Poland where I live. My first impression was great but after some time in high volume situation I felt like the amp was mudding some notes.
With heart on my shoulder like we in Poland say I have made my decision to sell this dull, muddy beauty. I said to myself, lets get queen of clear as someone stated - famous Roland Jazz Chorus 120. With this I cant go wrong, can I.... And again I plugged my every guitar and the same nightmare appeared. Sound covered with old jacket that?s what I thinking. So I came to the point, OBVIOUS FOR YOU PROBABLY, that it is a normal situation that is higher volume all amps tends to darker the tone and ad some mids due to specifics of nature of guitar pickups. I play over 10 years metal, rock but primarly jazz and wacky classic music-country horror but I havent noticed obvious truth. I though that is how it must be. AND I GOT CARL MARTIN BOX. AMAZING. Maybe I am sort of guy who sings loud cause one never played with equalizer but this one changed my life. My dream was to obtain those pristine tones of for instance Bill Frisell or woody Pat Martino grace. Of course, in home studio you can get almost that sound but in live situation it occurs very troubly. Those damn mids, that mud , you say BUY YOURSELF ACOUSTIC GUITAR,ok, I wanted clear, round, articulate sound and this box gave that!!!!!!!
I use Yamaha Sa2200 semiacoustic archtop guitar, Epiphone Emperor from 80-ies, Alhambra 9P nylon string guitar with onboard Fishman preamp along with Carl Martin Compressor, Boss TU-2, vintage Pro Co Rat and sometimes TC Electronic M300 signal processor, all with Planet Waves cables.
With that gear I can get any sound I want. ANY!!!!!!
There is some slight hiss but only in trebely and maximum frequency situations.
It is called preamp, well maybe it is one, maybe it kills yours amps sound, maybe, but one thing I am sure of, I found my sound with my dutch box. I pretend that this box translates the language of my amps to my liking. Evans sounds terrific, Roland JC is demolition monster now. My sound is not very organic as you would expect from jazzman or psychodelic musician, rather cold somehow, but I tweak it to my preferences, one likes chicken , other likes ducks. This box is a must for chicken and or ducks consumers...........
With distortion before it in signal chain Carl Martin rules!!! Sound possibilities are endless, from grind core, through sevendust new metal to Jeff Beck s cries.

Reliability : 10
I have this one for one year now and it never failed me. The box seems to be durable, built in adapter is great feature. No problems so far

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never dealted with them, hope I want have to......

Overall Rating : 10
I play mixed jazz, rock, psychodelic music with ambience. EQ suits for every music!!!! poor are the ones who dont aproach the bliss of equalization!!!! What can you think about effect which saves you a few thousand dollars for useless search for perfect amp and sound. I play it through Evans or recently Roland Jazz Chorus 120 vintage one from mid eighties, and the tone is superb, no mud, sound like you can hear on studio recordings...well almost. I paid for it only 100USD new. If it costed 300USD I would do that again, with no hesitation. Maybe there are some better units, but I think they are placed in proffesional studio machinery. It is light, compact. Dont have much experience with EQ but I am staying with Carl Martin. I have also their Compressor Limiter and it is awesome! Reliable company, no question about it!
I love it, despite the fact it can generate some little hiss.
With my trusty archtopped yamaha I can get strato sound glass and warm hot humbucker sound.
If I had to choose only one stomp box on desert island it would be CM EQ.